A doctor is for diagnosing and treating a patient. A patient who does not want to even follow the most basic advice is wasting the doctor's time and talent. What do you want a doctor to do for a patient who won't obey doctor's orders based upon diagnosis and keeps getting worse? Is a doctor supposed to keep treating someone who continually sabotages his/her own health? I say no. I'm not a doctor and if I was one, I wouldn't waste time with people who do not want to help themselves. You may not like my attitude but think about it. Someone who is in ill health losing limbs to diabetes and doesn't want to help themselves obviously wants to die. Why should a doctor have to keep treating someone who doesn't want to be treated?
A Dr is not required to treat anyone. This guy is 61 and I presume has a longterm standing with this Dr (although there is no way of knowing that). I did not see where Johnson was not obeying him with regard to is medical needs. Fat people all over are diabetics should they all be told to exercise or we are going to take away medical attention? The guy could have lied, he could have gone to the weight loss/smoking programs and he could have continued on his same path. No one would know the difference. The Dr. has a right to deny a person medical attention because he doesn't like the lifestyle the guy chooses however, if he accepted him as a patient and he has been a longtime patient I believe the Dr has an obligation to continue his medical needs.
All of this lifestyle vs medical stuff is part of the politically correct agenda and NEW talk. Seems to me drug addicts and alcoholics are able to draw SS. Never heard of a Dr wanting to deny them medical care because they did not mind the Dr and quit drinking or doing drugs. It depends on what the Federal definition of the day regarding the medical condition is as to how that person is treated in the Dr's office.
No Dr ever went into the realms of a person's private habits in the past and if it was discovered the Dr might suggest it would be wise to not do that but never were they denied treatment. The Dr is not responsible for this man's eating and smoking and if it causes him to die--so be it. He has been advised.
These medical tactics are just another step toward euthanasia of a different type. This type of person will discontinue going to the Dr. altogether. For you to say this guy is wasting oxygen shows your value for life.
Forgot to address this: If I am not mistaken it is not eating or smoking that causes the loss of limbs--it is the disease and that sores do not heal and gangrene sets in. I say, let the poor guy enjoy what little he has left.
Here's a thought there are some Physicians who do NOT accept medicaid, maybe if more Doctors stopped accepting it than there would be no more medicaid for the illegals and all the moocher freeloaders!!